American Accent Quiz

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:43 pm

I thought this was interesting. It pegged me as South, of course. The interesting part was Philadelphia came in second, then Midwest, then Northeast.

http://www.lewrockwell.com/spl3/america ... -quiz.html

MBombardier · Post by **MBombardier** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 5:55 pm

Mine came out #1 Boston, #2 the West. That surprised me.

Recently, I heard myself on tape talking about 25 years ago when I lived in Tennessee and I had the cutest little southern accent. I still fall back into it if I am around someone from the South.

Deb · Post by **Deb** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:23 pm

I visit Alabama in the winter and always return home sounding more southernly. DH kids me about it.
I tested out inland North.

Post by **tex** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 6:49 pm

That test is worthless. It interprets my accent as from Philadelphia, or south Jersey, Baltimore, or Wilmington.

I've never even been to any of those places. In fact, it shows the most likely locations, (in descending order), as:

The Northeast
The Midland
The Inland North
The South

I don't believe I have a Southern drawl, but I certainly should have a Texas accent, since I've lived here all my life. I have a hunch that any of you who have ever spoken with me on the phone would agree that I don't have a Northeast accent. Or am I some kind of freak, and don't know what I'm talking about?

Whoever wrote that little survey is apparently hung up on the Northeast, judging by the results we're getting. Apparently he thinks that the only people who understand the English language, and appreciate proper enunciation, are from the Northeast. I'm guessing that he's from the Northeast.

Love,
Tex

Joefnh · Post by **Joefnh** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:02 pm

My results pegged me highly for the northeast. The inland north or Philadelphia. That makes sense as I grew up in northern NJ until the age of 13 and then have spent most of my time in NH.

I did spend a year in Austin and several years in Colorado, but I guess the accent changes did not have an influence on me.

Joe

Gabby · Post by **Gabby** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:33 pm

Tex,
How do you pronounce Bowie?
G-

Leah · Post by **Leah** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 7:53 pm

Didn't work for me either. It said I was Inland North. I have only lived on both COASTS!
Leah

Post by **tex** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:22 pm

Gabby wrote:How do you pronounce Bowie?

Well, if you're referring to Colonel Jim Bowie, and the knife design that he made famous, that would be boo-ee, ("boo" as in "boohoo", not bow-ee, or bough-ee).

If you're referring to David Bowie, though, the correct pronunciation, (IMO), would be bow-ee, ("bow", as in the archery device used to project arrows, not bough-ee, or boo-ee).

Right?

Tex

Post by **tex** » Sat Mar 10, 2012 8:29 pm

The problem with that "quiz", is that it doesn't actually test accent, (how could it - accent is a verbal phenomenon). Instead, it tests understanding of the various inflections of certain words in the American version of the English language, which is going to depend on training, and usage, (but has nothing to do with accent). Just because I understand the proper pronunciation of a word, doesn't mean that I'm going to actually pronounce it correctly in everyday usage. The author of that quiz doesn't seem to understand that simple fact.

Tex

TXBrenda · Post by **TXBrenda** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 5:45 am

My results were the west and looked like tied for second was the south & the northeast - go figure! I would say I have a "West Texas" accent. We don't sound like those from Dallas- Fort Worth or Houston.

I actually said the words out loud to help me determine my answers.

Robin · Post by **Robin** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:23 am

OMG, that is too funny! I am suppose to be from Wisconsin! I was born in Fall River Mass. and I was raised here in Brooklyn/Queens! Anyone who has ever spoken to me knows that I have a heavy Brooklyn accent. Even the doctors that I work for are always trying to correct my pronunciation of words!

Love
Robin

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 8:59 am

tex wrote: Just because I understand the proper pronunciation of a word, doesn't mean that I'm going to actually pronounce it correctly in everyday usage. The author of that quiz doesn't seem to understand that simple fact. Tex

LOL.... You pegged it right there, Tex.

I kind of enjoyed the quiz so I thought others might enjoy it also.

Love, Shirley

starfire · Post by **starfire** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 9:05 am

Marliss and Deb....
I have found over the years that if I am around someone with a specific accent that I tend to pick it up also. I once had a friend who had quite a Boston accent and I found myself changing the way I pronounced certain words. It rather irritated me a little.

Love, Shirley

nancyl · Post by **nancyl** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 10:58 am

Mine came out as follows:

#1 The Midland closest to that was 4 years in Flint, Michigan
#2 Boston Live 40 miles northwest of Boston all my life except for those 4 years
#3 North Central

Nancy

Post by **tex** » Sun Mar 11, 2012 11:03 am

Shirley,

You would make a good salesperson. One of the basic rules for winning a potential customer's trust, (and to sell them on your idea, merchandise, or whatever), is to mimic their mannerisms, style of speaking, etc., which apparently subconsciously puts them at ease, and makes that all-important good first impression on them.

It works, (unless they happen to be familiar with the strategy, themselves).

Tex